Join the 2026 Biosolutions & Ingredient innovation Export Promotion in Chicago
Strengthen your presence among major U.S. food manufacturers while Chicago is bustling with the annual IFT First Expo - the world’s leading food and ingredient innovation event.
The U.S. food and ingredients sector is undergoing a rapid transformation as consumers, legislators, and industry leaders prioritize healthier, more sustainable, and more transparent products. This consumer shift combined with stricter requirements means that industry leaders are changing processes and formulations, opening new doors for Danish companies with strong solutions, technologies, and ingredients that support a more responsible, healthy, and resilient food system.
By joining the 2026 export delegation, your company will gain direct access to U.S. businesses actively searching for cutting-edge ingredient solutions, biosolutions, and production technologies to future-proof their product offering – both through B2B-meetings, targeted company visits, and a reception for the food and beverage industry in the Chicagoland-area.
The delegation is scheduled to coincide with IFT First – one of the World’s leading industry platforms for ingredient innovation – to take advantage of the strong presence of potential partners, give companies the opportunity to participate in the expo, and to maximize engagement, visibility, and value-creation for the co-hosted reception.
Why join?
This export promotion aims to strengthen the collaboration and partnerships between Danish and American companies within biosolutions and ingredient innovation. As part of the delegation, you will:
- Participate in exclusive, targeted B2B-meetings and visits with leading U.S. food manufacturers.
- Gain market intelligence from local authorities, industry organizations, and innovation hubs.
- Network at a high-level reception hosted by the Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago in collaboration with the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network.
- Have the opportunity to attend IFT First to connect with potential partners and clients (not included in delegation, but a group rate has been secured).
Throughout the three-day program, you will have the opportunity to present your solutions to potential partners, strengthen your commercial understanding foothold in the U.S. market, and build relationships that support your long-term growth.
Who should join?
Danish companies working with:
- Functional, natural, and clean-label ingredients
- Alternative proteins
- Plant-based food solutions
- Fermentation-based technologies
- Green and sustainable production technologies
What you get?
- A chance to participate in IFT First
- Pre-arranged B2B-meetings with relevant companies
- Presentations and briefings from U.S. companies, authorities and organizations
- Knowledge about the U.S. market, regulatory expectations, funding opportunities, and industry needs
- Company visits and behind-the-scenes insights
- High-value networking opportunities throughout the program
Official Program
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Voluntary participation at the IFT FIRST trade show and presentations during side events (group rate available through the Consulate General)
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Evening reception hosted by the Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago in collaboration with the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
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Morning briefing by the Trade Council North America, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and World Business Chicago
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Meeting with the Illinois Fermentation & Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (IFAB)
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Half-day visit and workshop with major U.S. food manufacturer (1)
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Half-day visit and workshop with major U.S. food manufacturer (2)
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Debriefing
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Departure from Chicago to Denmark
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